Notable February Horror Releases

Odds are high that The Witch is at the top of your “must watch” list this month, rightfully so. If period set horror isn’t your thing, though, February has a lot more to offer. Check out this month’s notable releases:

Theatrical and VOD releases:

February 5

Regression

Set in 1990, a daughter accuses her father of an unspeakable crime; one he has no recollection of committing. When he admits to his guilt despite this, a psychiatrist is brought in and together they uncover evidence of a widespread satanic cult. For some reason this one has flown under the radar despite big starring names like Ethan Hawke, Emma Watson, and David Thewlis. It was written and directed by Alejandro Amenabar, known for period ghost story The Others.

Southbound

Some of the people behind the popular V/H/S series have teamed up for another anthology, this time connecting five interlocking tales that features a group of travelers facing their worst nightmares on a stretch of desert highway. A festival circuit darling, this anthology promises tons of gore and very dark humor.

The Pack

A family facing foreclosure must contend with more than the bank when a pack of feral, bloodthirsty dogs close in on their land. A violent battle for survival ensues between the dogs and the family, in this based on true events story set in rural Australia. Filmed outside of Adelaide, South Australia, you can expect a very brutal man versus wild showdown.

February 12

Cabin Fever

Yes, this is a remake of Eli Roth’s beloved 2002 film. However, director Travis Zariwny uses Roth’s original script and makes it his own, providing a different spin to a familiar story. What’s even more interesting is that Eli Roth himself is serving as executive producer, and has expressed a lot of enthusiasm over Zariwny’s clever choices.

Nina Forever

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, a tale about love that never dies. Holly begins a relationship with co-worker Rob, but every time they make love Rob’s dead ex comes back, bloody and mangled from the motorcycle accident that killed her. Holly isn’t deterred by the repeated appearances of Rob’s dead ex, and chooses instead to deal with the dead girl sharing their bed and lives. A very quirky, bloody metaphor for coping with the loss of a relationship in a darkly comical and literal manner.

Feburary 19

The Witch

Set in 1630, Robert Eggers’ directorial debut follows a farmer and his family forced to move to a remote plot of land at the edge of ominous woods rumored to be filled with witches. When strange things begin to happen, paranoia mounts and fingers are pointed at the teenage daughter. Faith, loyalty, and love will be tested in shocking and horrific ways. The critical acclaim alone makes this worth watching, but the mounting dread and atmosphere in the trailers promises this will be a film that will get under your skin.

February 26

Backtrack

Psychologist Peter Bowers, played by Adrien Brody, discovers that his patients are actually the ghosts of those who died in an accident twenty years ago. Afraid that he’s losing his mind, he returns to his home town to discover the truth. A psychological horror tale with supernatural elements, this Aussie thriller also stars Sam Neill and The Loved One’s Robin McLeavy.

Retro DVD/Blu-ray releases:

A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin (Mondo Macabro) – February 9

The Mutilator (Arrow Video) – February 16

The Vincent Price Collection III (Scream Factory)– February 16

Children Shouldn’t Play With Dead Things (VCI Entertainment) – February 23

Meagan Navarro is a blogger from Houston, TX. She fell in love with monsters at age four after being exposed to them via Ghostbusters, and her passion grew into an obsession for all things horror and Halloween (which is the entire month of October, as far as she’s concerned). Meagan also loves traveling and chocolate. Follow me on twitter: @HauntedMeg